'CHASING RAINBOWS' Premiere, Centered on Judy Garland, and More Set for Goodspeed's 2016 Season

For the first time in its 53 year history, two-time Tony Award-winning Goodspeed Musicals is offering a Two Theatre - Five Show Package. Today Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed's Executive Director, announced the five fantastic shows set for 2016.

Gennaro explained, "Since the first day I arrived at Goodspeed, people have been asking me about what shows I plan to program for next season -- will they be the tried and true, will they depart from past programming, will there be new musicals? I am happy to announce that the season will be all of the above. It will include classic musicals that have never appeared before on the Goodspeed stages (in East Haddam and in Chester), along with new musicals at both theatres. We hope to bridge the gap between The Goodspeed and The Terris Theatre, providing our patrons with the opportunity to experience Goodspeed Musicals on 'both sides of the river'. This is a season with something that will appeal to everyone -- young and old -- and continue the extraordinary legacy that has made Goodspeed 'the Home of the American Musical'."

The three productions planned for The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn. include a joyous cruise through some of Cole Porter's most famous songs in a "de-lovely" new revival of the tap-happy musical comedy ANYTHING GOES, which will run from April 8 - June 16; a fresh spin on the musical comedy BYE BYE BIRDIE, which will run from June 24 - September 4; and the story of an awkward girl with a golden voice who the world came to know as Judy Garland in the inspiring new musical about the bumpy road to "The Wizard of Oz" in CHASING RAINBOWS: THE ROAD TO OZ, which will run from September 16 - November 27, 2016.

Nearby at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., a world turned upside down is made brighter with song and dance in an brand new version of the Broadway hit that gave the world "Who Can I Turn To?" and "The Joker" in THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT -- THE SMELL OF THE CROWD, May 19 - June 26. Then flash back to 1965 -- the pulse of a changing era lures Cindy from Middle America to the swirl of Manhattan in a new musical featuring the songs of Petula Clark and other hit-makers of the day in A SIGN OF THE TIMES, July 28 - September 4, 2016.

Goodspeed invites theatre fans from near and far to come and enjoy this wonderful array of productions at both theatres and experience all that this world-renowned maker of musical theatre and its neighboring shops, restaurants and attractions have to offer. Plan ahead and make it a Goodspeed day!

Buy all five! The new FIVE SHOW package includes a season ticket for all three shows at The Goodspeed AND both shows at The Terris Theatre - starting at $196. Other options include a season ticket for all three shows at The Goodspeed - starting at $108, or a season ticket for both shows at The Terris Theatre - only $88. Advance season ticket packages are now on sale through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open seven days a week. Single tickets go on public sale beginning February 14, 2016.

MORE ABOUT GOODSPEED'S 2016 SEASON:

Bon voyage! Set sail on a "de-lovely" cruise through some of Cole Porter's most famous songs. A brassy nightclub singer, a starry-eyed stowaway and Public Enemy No. 13 are booked on a transatlantic luxury liner bound for romance and laughter. Hum along with an easy-to-love score packed with hits including "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "It's De-Lovely," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow" and more! A tap-happy classic docks at Goodspeed for the first time. Anything Goes features music and lyrics by Cole Porter; original book by Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse; and new book by Timothy Crouse and John Weidman. ANYTHING GOES will be sponsored by Chester Village West.

Put on a happy face! Army-bound rock star Conrad Birdie's farewell appearance in Sweet Apple, Ohio is the talk of the town. But it's a teen-age crisis for new "steadies" Hugo and Kim: she just won the chance to give Birdie one last kiss before boot camp. Kids, parents and show folk collide in the Goodspeed debut of the hip-swiveling musical comedy set at the dawn of the sensational '60s. Bring the entire family to discover we've got a lot of livin' to do! BYE BYE BIRDIE has book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.

An awkward girl with a golden voice blossoms into Judy Garland in the inspirational new musical about the bumpy road to "Oz." The future superstar's complicated childhood comes alive with heartbreak, hope and the music that made her famous. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "You Made Me Love You" and "Over the Rainbow" sweeten the story of Judy striving to hold onto her family. A love letter to gifted underdogs who reach high - and how the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true. 'CHASING RAINBOWS' features book by Marc Acito, conceived by Tina Marie Casamento, and music adapted by David Libby.

It's a brand-new wonderful day! In a world turned upside down, a rag-tag group relies on humor, song and dance to try to build a new life. But can show tunes and music hall merriment revive the human spirit? On the highway of life, hope is just around the bend in this arresting reinvention of the vivacious Broadway hit. Their world may have ended, but songs like "Who Can I Turn To?," "The Joker," "Feeling Good" and "A Wonderful Day Like Today" echo on, welcoming new love and another dawn. THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT -- THE SMELL OF THE CROWD features book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley.

1965. The pulse of a changing era lures Cindy from Middle America to the swirl of Manhattan. Unexpected friends, lovers, careers and conflicts are all a subway ride away in a pop-fueled new musical featuring songs made famous by Petula Clark and other hit-makers of the day. "I Know a Place," "The Shoop Shoop Song" and "If I Can Dream" are among the fabulous favorites on an eye-opening ride from innocence to experience. Forget all your troubles, forget all your cares - go "Downtown" and find out who you are! A SIGN OF THE TIMES has an original story by Richard Robin and an original book by Bruce Vilanch.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Michael Gennaro, Goodspeed Musicals is dedicated to the preservation, development and advancement of musical theatre and is the first theatre in the nation to receive two Tony Awards (for outstanding achievement). Goodspeed produces three musicals each season at The Goodspeed in East Haddam, Conn., and additional productions at The Terris Theatre in Chester, Conn., which was opened in 1984 for the development of new musicals. Goodspeed also maintains The Scherer Library of Musical Theatre and The Max Showalter Center for Education in Musical Theatre. Goodspeed gratefully acknowledges the support of United Airlines, the official airline of Goodspeed Musicals, and official auto sponsor Hoffman Audi. Goodspeed is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development with support from the Connecticut Office of the Arts. Find us on Twitter @goodspeedmusicl, Facebook: Goodspeed Musicals and Instagram: goodspeedmusicals.